Health chiefs in Bradford and Yorkshire Water bosses have called on the Government to make a decision over the controversial fluoridation of water supplies.

The water industry today attempted to break deadlock over the issue by suggesting it be decided by local populations.

Water UK, which represents the UK's water utility companies, proposes that the decision on whether or not to add fluoride to tap water should be taken by health authorities following consultation with local people.

At the moment, water suppliers themselves choose whether or not the chemical is added to their water, but few have done so due to legal concerns and uncertainty over what the public actually wants.

The latest call effectively backs Yorkshire Water's long-standing position on the issue.

The company has not added fluoride to supplies despite pressure from health experts and has instead called for the matter to be decided in Parliament following public debate.

Studies have showed areas where fluoride is added have better dental health but it has been the subject of huge controversy.

Opponents claim it can damage tooth enamel by discolouring it and can even damage people's health in the long term.

Water UK hopes public consultation by health authorities, along with government measures to legally indemnify water firms which add fluoride, can settle the matter once and for all.

Dr Julian Roberts, consultant in public health medicine at Bradford Health Authority, said the authority supported fluoridation following a public consultation on the issue carried out with other authorities in Yorkshire in 1993 which recommended Yorkshire Water add fluoride to reduce decay.

"Bradford does have one of the worst dental health records in the Northern and Yorkshire region and fluoridation could be one of the measures that would help to improve it but we would await guidance from the Government on whether any further action needs to be taken."

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said the company's position remained unchanged.

It had considered the matter in depth and decided against adding fluoride to water.

Fluoridation was a matter of general public interest and should be a matter for Parliament.

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